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Post subject: help for a beginner
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:48 am
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Location: west virginia
i'm a rather novice bass player (been playin for a bout a year and a half), and have decided to make attempts at adding harmonics to my repertoire, a la voctor wooten. i currently play a fender p bass special (mexican, i believe its an '03) that i've been happy with, however i find natural harmonics to be a little difficult for it to speak. can anyone recommend perhaps another model that would help with this? perhaps different pickups, or something i could do to the setup?

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:36 am
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Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:16 am
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On your amp, roll off the bass hike the mids right up and have a wee bit of treble. Lots of tone on your bass helps too (ie the tone knob, you can find the sweet spot yourself) and playing up near the bridge where the strings are tighter also.

Have fun with it :)


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Post subject: Re: help for a beginner
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:30 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Your P-Bass Special has a Jazz pickup also, right?

If so, you've probably got a fine bass for what you're trying to do. If it's just a regular P-Bass with the P pickup only, consider trying a Jazz Bass or a P with a Jazz pickup near the bridge.

Other ideas:

Stainless steel roundwound strings are generally "brighter" sounding than nickel wound strings and might give you more of high frequencies you're looking for.

Does your amp have an adjustable tweeter? If so, make sure it's turned all the way up. Usually the control for this is on the back of the amp/cabinet.

Harmonics are usually quieter than a regular note and that's probably why you aren't hearing them as well. To help with this, try a compressor. Generally speaking, compressors make loud sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder.

-just a couple ideas from a guy who uses natural and artificial (tapped) harmonics occasionally.


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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:59 pm
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Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:08 pm
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Location: west virginia
thanks, i'll employ all of those strategies. yes, it does have the jazz bass pickup. i use artificial harmonics alot, but this is my first crack at using natural harmonics this extensively.

again, i really appreciate the help.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:28 am
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:48 pm
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Try finding your harmonics without your bass plugged into your amp.


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